>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS "EVENING EDITION" HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY AND PLUMBING, FLOODING, REMODELING SERVICES FOR SAN DIEGO FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

CALL 1-800-TRAN40 OR VISIT BILLHOWE.COM, AND BY THE PREFACE FOUNDATION, MARCO SALLY AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> COULD THE WEEK-LONG TRAVEL MESS AT SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FINALLY BE IMPROVING?

THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

THEY SAY, IT WILL BE BACK TO NORMAL TOMORROW.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR SOUTHWEST PASSENGERS?

SINCE THE CHRISTMAS WEEKEND, VISITORS HAVE BEEN STUCK.

MANY OF THEM HAVE TOLD US, IT'S COST THEM TIME AWAY FROM FAMILY, LOTS OF MONEY AND OTHER CONSEQUENCES.

A LOOK AT TODAY'S FLIGHT INFORMATION STILL SHOWS MORE CANCELED OR DELAYED FLIGHTS.

ISABELLE ROSALES HAS A NEW UPDATE FROM THE COMPANY TRYING TO RESTORE ITS STATUS AND REPUTATION.

>> Reporter: THE COST OF THE SOUTHWEST MELTDOWN, BECOMING MORE APPARENT.

ONE TRAVEL, MISSING HER WEDDING.

>> WE TRIED TO READ BOOKS.

THERE WAS NOTHING.

WE ARE JUST DEVASTATED HER >> Reporter: PASSENGERS, UNABLE TO REACH CRUCIAL MEDICATION AND EQUIPMENT.

>> PEOPLE LIKE ME, WE CAN DO IT.

>> Reporter: OTHERS, STILL STUCK AWAY FROM HOME.

>> I'M EXHAUSTED AND WANTED TO GO HOME.

>> Reporter: THE NATIONS' LARGEST CARRIER, EXPECTING NORMALCY FRIDAY.

>> THAT'S WHAT WE EXPECT.

WE WILL SEE HOW IT SHAKES OUT.

>> Reporter: CHECK THIS OUT, THE AIRLINE, OFFERING YOU OFFICER FLYERS THROUGH JANUARY 2nd TO REQUEST SUBMISSIONS FOR MISSING BAGGAGE AND REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES LIKE HOTELS AND TAXIS.

BUT FOR SOME TRAVELERS, THEY TOOK LITTLE COMFORT.

>> I WILL NEVER GET THAT TIME BACK.

I TRUSTED SOUTHWEST WITH MY BELONGINGS TO GET ME FROM POINT A TO POINT B. I FEEL LIKE I WAS ROBBED.

>> Reporter: A NEW APOLOGY FROM THE AIRLINE'S CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER WHO VOWS TO REBUILD CUSTOMER TRUST.

>> WE'RE FOCUSED ON RESTORING THE RELIABILITY AND LEVEL OF CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE WE EXPECT OF OURSELVES AND THAT YOU EXPECT FROM US.

>> Reporter: IT'S FIX IT AND CLEANUP MODE FOR SOUTHWEST.

THE COMPANY, WARNING, IT COULD TAKE DAYS TO CLEAR THE LONG LINES OF PEOPLE AND LUGGAGE.

ISABELLE ROSALES, KPBS NEWS .

>>> AFTER DOZENS OF MIGRANTS WERE LEFT AT STATIONS ACROSS SAN DIEGO COUNTY LAST WEEK, KPBS' REPORTED, TONY THORNE, SAID, VOLUNTEERS JUMPED IN TO HELP GET THEM TO THEIR FINAL DESTINATION.

>> Reporter: A VIDEO, TAKEN AT AN OCEAN SIDE SHELTER, SHOWS MIGRANTS SITTING ON THE FLOOR EATING A MAKESHIFT CHRISTMAS DINNER.

>> THANK YOU GUYS ALL WHO HAVE MADE THIS POSSIBLE.

WE'RE ENJOYING OUR CHRISTMAS MEAL.

THANK YOU.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Reporter: MAXEYS FOUR WITH THE NORTHEAST COUNTY LGBTQ RESOURCE CENTER, ONE OF THE PEOPLE PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR THE MIGRANTS.

>> WE WERE QUITE UPSET TO SEE HOW THEY ARE DROPPING PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE OF CHRISTMAS EVE, KNOWING THERE ARE NOT RESOURCES AVAILABLE, WITH NOTHING AVAILABLE.

MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO STEP AWAY.

IT'S JUST A CRUEL THING TO DO FROM THAT POINT OF VIEW.

>> Reporter: THE GROUP WAS DROPPED OFF IN OCEANSIDE, A STATION WITH NO DIRECT CONNECTION TO THE AIRPORT.

>> NOT EVEN AWARE OF THEIR WHEREABOUTS, WHERE THEY WERE, WHY THEY WERE THERE, HOW FAR THEY WERE FROM THE AIRPORT NO FOOD, NO WATER, NO SUPPORT, NO CELL PHONE LINE, NO CHARGE.

>> Reporter: OTHER SIMILAR DROP- OFFS WERE REPORTED AT EL CAJON.

A SPOKESMAN SAYS, MANY MIGRANTS DROPPED OFF IN SAN DIEGO WERE PROCESSED IN ARIZONA.

FEDERAL AUTHORITIES CONFIRMED THEY SOMETIMES MOVE PEOPLE FROM THE PLACE WHERE THEY ARE BEING PROCESSED IN A DIFFERENT SECTOR ALONG THE BORDER.

PROVIDING AIRPORT ASPORTATION TO SOME OF MIGRANTS THIS WEEK, COUNTY SUPERVISOR JIM DESMOND, TWEETED WEDNESDAY, MORE THAN 1000 MIGRANTS HAVE BEEN DROPPED OFF IN SAN DIEGO.

THAT DRAINS LOCAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE.

CBP DECLINED TO SAY IF MORE DROP-OFFS IN SAN DIEGO WOULD BE HAPPENING, BUT PROVIDED A STATEMENT, SAYING, THEY ENSURE RELIEF AND RELEASES ARE DONE IN A SAFE MANNER, AND A CENTRAL SUPPORT IS PROVIDED UPON RELIEF.

WITH THE UNCERTAINTY OF THE SPEAKER MIGRANT DROP-OFFS, NO MORE GLAZING TOWARDS MOBILIZING .

>> WE HAD A MEETING WITH CITY OFFICIALS, COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING THE LGBTQ CENTER, TO PLAN FOR HOW WE WILL RESPOND IF THERE ARE ADDITIONAL TITLE-SEEKING MIGRANTS WHO ARE DROPPED OFF IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: ANGEL SAYS, COMMITTEE MEMBERS WANTING TO HELP THEM GET INVOLVED CAN REACH OUT TO SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

TONYA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> UKRAINE'S MILITARY SAYS, HE MANAGED TO SHOOT DOWN MOST MISSILES LOST BY RUSSIA IN A NEW SURGE OF ATTACKS.

EVEN SO SOME BOMBS HIT THE CAPITAL CITY OF KYIV.

THE MUSCLES, AIMED AT ENERGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE TARGETS.

THE GOVERNMENT SAYS, THREE PEOPLE ARE KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN KILLED.

>>> WE FIRST INTRODUCED YOU TO IVAN SIOBHAN IN SEPTEMBER.

HE'S A UKRAINIAN TEENAGER WHO LOST PART OF HIS LEG IN THE WAR AND WAS LEARNING TO WALK AGAIN IN SAN DIEGO.

KPBS' REPORTER, DANIEL ALVARADO, WITH UPDATES ON IVAN'S LATEST CHALLENGE.

>> Reporter: THIS IS A 16-YEAR- OLD IVAN SIOBHAN, WHO THREE MONTHS AGO, HE WAS TAKING HIS FIRST STEPS ON A PROSTHETIC LEG.

HE HAS BEEN RUN OVER BY A RUN IN WITH A RUSSIAN TANK, THE SAME TANK THAT KILLED HIS STEPFATHER.

TODAY, AT THE HOUSE OF UKRAINE, WE HAD A LITTLE REUNION.

HIS CHAPERONE QUICKLY CONFIRMED.

HIS ENGLISH IS IMPROVING.

>> I LIKE SAN DIEGO VERY MUCH.

>> Reporter: WHAT HASN'T BEEN VERY MUCH, WHICH IVAN WOULD LIKE, IS HOW HE HAS WALKED.

THAT IS BECAUSE HE NEEDS AN EXTRA SURGERY.

>> FOR SOME TIME, I STOPPED PROSTHETIC CAT, AND THEN MORE TIME WENT BY.

>> Reporter: BUT EACH DAY, WALKING BECOMES EASIER.

NOW, IVAN IS FACING A NEW CHALLENGE.

THE SAN DIEGO FAMILY HE AND THE CHAPERONE ARE STAYING WITH ONLY AGREED TO HOST THEM THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR.

>> I REALLY WANT HIS DREAMS TO COME TRUE.

>> Reporter: KNEW RUBEN, PRESIDENT OF THE HOUSE OF UKRAINE AND HOUSEHOLD, WHICH IS HELPING IVAN FIND A NEW HOME.

SHE SAYS, BECAUSE HE DOESN'T HAVE REFUGEE STATUS, THE SEARCH IS MORE COMPLICATED.

>> HERE FOR MEDICAL TREATMENTS, A LOT OF RESOURCES DO NOT APPLY TO THEM.

>> Reporter: IVAN SAYS, HE HAS MET SO MANY GOOD PEOPLE IN SAN DIEGO, AND THIS FEELS MORE LIKE HOME TO HIM THAN ANYPLACE HE'S EVER KNOWN.

HE HAS HOPE SOMEONE WILL OPEN THEIR HEART AND HIM TO HIM AGAIN.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Translator: I DON'T BELIEVE IN MIRACLES, BUT I BELIEVE IN PEOPLE WHO MAKE THE MIRACLES POSSIBLE AND HAPPEN.>> Reporter: KATIE ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT MAY NOT SEEM LIKE IT OUGHT TO COME ON A DAY LIKE THIS, BUT THE RISK OF WILDFIRES, SLOWLY GROWING IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

THE STATE WILDLIFE AND PROTECTION AGENCY SAYS, IT IS NOW A HIGH OR VERY HIGH RISK, UP 14% FROM A PRIOR ANALYSIS.

SOME OF THE STORMS WE HAVE SEEN LATELY WILL HELP IN THE SHORT TERM.

>>> CLOUDS, COOL TEMPERATURES, SHOWERS, STILL WITH US.

BUT THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT STORM WAITING IN THE WINGS FOR THE WEEKEND.

LOOKS LIKE SATURDAY THE SOAKING STORM WILL ARRIVE.

SNOW LEVELS WILL BE LOWERING WITH THIS ONE.

WE COULD SEE SOME SIGNIFICANT SNOW IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.

LET'S LOOK AT THE WEATHER TONIGHT.

MORE OF THE SAME WITH A LOW CLOUDS AND TEMPERATURES, MID-50s.

CLOUDS, WIDESPREAD OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, AND 37.

51 IN EL CAJON.

51 IN OCEANSIDE.

HERE'S OUR FUTURE SATELLITE AND RADAR.

NOTICE THERE'S CLOUDS AROUND, BUT NO REAL PRECIPITATION.

CLOUDY AND LIGHT.

SIGNIFICANT MOISTURE IS STILL WELL TO THE NORTH.

LOOKING AT THE FRIDAY WEATHER, ANOTHER ROUND OF RAIN FOR CENTRAL AND NORTH CALIFORNIA AND TREMENDOUS SNOW IN THE SIERRA.

HIGH WINDS, RETURNING TOO.

HERE, WE'RE GENERALLY DRY WITH A STRAY SHOWER OR TWO PASSING THROUGH.

OTHERWISE, CLOUDY INTERPRETERS, HOVERING IN THE LOW-60s.

OCEANSIDE, ESCONDIDO, SAN DIEGO, LOW-60s.

RAMONA, TO THE 40s AND REAGAN SPRINGS, UP TO 67.

THINGS CHANGE THOUGH SATURDAY.

START TO SEE MOISTURE SWING INTO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, AND WE'LL SEE A SOAKING RAIN MOVE IN.

A POTENTIAL FOR LOCALIZED FLOODING.

COULD SEE CLOSE TO AN ENGINEER THE COAST.

THE INTERIOR SECTION COULD SEE SEVERAL INCHES OF RAIN.

HERE'S OUR FORECAST FOR THE WEEKEND.

SHOWING US A WET NEW YEAR'S EVE.

SUNDAY, WE'LL SEE SOME DRIER CONDITIONS, BUT STAYS COOL WITH WINDS SUBSIDING.

IN THE SECTIONS, GETTING WET SATURDAY, SATURDAY NIGHT, SHOWERS, CALLING INTO SUNDAY, AND AS WE TAKE YOU TO THE MOUNTAINS, STARTING OFF WITH SOME RAIN.

THEN, LOWERING SNOW LEVELS ABOUT 5500 FEET.

COULD SEE SOME HEAVIER SNOWS ABOVE THAT.

WINDY AND COOL.

WE WILL SEASON WET WEATHER SATURDAY NIGHT FOR THE DESERT AND EARLY ON SUNDAY.

FOR KPBS NEWS, METEOROLOGIST MARK BIG SO.

STROKE.

>>> SEXIST AND RACISM IS WHAT A LOCAL SAN DIEGO WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP LEADER IS ACCUSED OF.

DJOKOVIC WAS A JOB PLACEMENT PROGRAM, WITH A FORMER HR EMPLOYEE SUED THE ORGANIZATION AND ITS CEO, PETER HALLSTROM, ACCUSING HIM OF SEX AND RACE- BASED HARASSMENT AND DISSEMINATION.

BUT WE SAW MORE OF THE LAWSUIT WAS FILED AND 12 EMPLOYEES FROM THE NONPROFIT RAISED SIMILAR CONCERNS IN A LETTER TO THE ORGANIZATION'S GOVERNING BOARD.

THE BOARD INCLUDES MEMBERS OF THE SAN DIEGO STATE COUNCIL AND THE COUNTY SUPERVISOR THE LETTER SAYS, IN PART, MR. KOSS FROM REALLY SINGLES OUT EMPLOYEES WHO ARE BLACK, INDIGENOUS, OR PEOPLE OF COLOR TO DISMISS OR HARASS UNTIL THEY DEPART.

IT CONTINUES, MR. KOSS FROM'S MISCONDUCT UNDERMINES THE WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP'S EFFORTS TO SERVE YOUR CONSTITUENTS, KEEPING THE PEOPLE WHO WORK HERE FROM PROVIDING THE SERVICE THOSE CONSTITUENTS DESERVE.

THE EMPLOYEES REMAINED ANONYMOUS AND ALSO CLAIM CAULSTROHM HAD A PRACTICE OF USING PUBLIC FUNDS TO PAY HUSH MONEY TO EMPLOYEES WHO COMBUSTED HIM OVER HIS BEHAVIOR.

CAULSTROHM ATTORNEYS SENT KPBS A STATEMENT, SAYING, PETER CAULSTROHM HAS DEDICATED 30 PLUS YEARS OF HUMAN SERVICES AND HIS CAREER TO SERVING UNDERSTOOD AND UNDER- REPRESENTED JOBSEEKERS, ADDRESSING SYSTEMIC RACISM, GENDER INEQUALITY, DISABILITY RIGHTS AND PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

MR. CAULSTROHM WAS UNAWARE OF THESE ANONYMOUS ALLEGATIONS , AND IS CONFIDENT THAT IF LOOK INTO, THEY WOULD BE FOUND TO LACK MERIT.

THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT HAS HIRED A LAW FIRM TO INVESTIGATE THE ALLEGED CLAIMS.

ALL FOUR OF THEM WERE PARTNERSHIPS FOR BOARD MEMBERS THAT WERE EITHER UNAVAILABLE OR DECLINED TO COMMENT.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THERE'S MORE RECENT EVENTS, WITH REASONS STACKING UP FOR NOT TO DRINK AND DRIVE.

THE TRANSPORT WILL BE FREE SEPTEMBER 31st, ENCOURAGING PARTYGOERS TO LEAVE THE CAR AT HOME.

KPBS HAS THE LATEST STORY.

>> Reporter: SAFETY IS THE NUMBER-ONE PRIORITY.

TRAVEL SAFELY IS A MESSAGE TO NEW YEAR'S EVE TRAVEL GOERS IN SAN DIEGO, URGED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TRANSPORTATION SATURDAY INSTEAD OF GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL.

THE METABOLIC AND TRANSIT SYSTEM, THE NORTH COUNTY TRANSIT DISTRICT, THE CITY, AND LAW-ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE TEAMING UP.

>> WE HAVE FREE PARKING AT ALL STATIONS.

HOPEFULLY, THAT'S ONE INCONVENIENCE SOLD.

ALSO, WHEN PEOPLE GET ON, AGAIN, THERE WILL BE MANY SCHEDULES, IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO HAVE DIFFERENT STOPS.

WE HAVE SEVEN DIFFERENT STATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTY.

AND SO, THERE ARE DEFINITELY FREQUENT STOPS FOR FOLKS TO GET IN AND GET OUT.

OF COURSE, IF THEY GO ONLINE, THEY CAN CHECK OUT WAYS TO GET AROUND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SPS.

>> Reporter: PARTYGOERS CAN RIDE THE TRAIN, TROLLEY, BUS, FREE OF CHARGE AFTER 6:00 P.M., FROM VARIOUS LOCATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTY.

NEW YEAR'S EVE IS TRADITIONALLY ONE OF THE BUSIEST NIGHTS OF THE YEAR FOR DUIs, AND EXTRA POLICE WILL BE ON DUTY TO HELP MONITOR THE COUNTY'S RHODES.

>> NEW YEAR'S EVE IS A MAXIMUM ENFORCEMENT PERIOD FOR US.

WE HAVE EVERY AVAILABLE RESOURCE AVAILABLE FOR US FOR MAXIMUM ENFORCEMENT.

WE'LL BE LOOKING FOR DISTRACTED AND DUI DRIVERS STRIKING THE ROADWAYS, TRYING TO KEEP THEM AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: ELECTRIC REMINDERS ABOUT DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS AND DRINK, ALSO INSTALLED ON ROADS THROUGHOUT SAN DIEGO.

AS A REMINDER THAT PERCEPTION DRUGS AND OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICINES CAN ALSO IMPACT PEOPLE'S ABILITY TO DRIVE SAFELY.

>> I THINK IT'S COOL THAT THE CITY IS DOING THAT, BECAUSE IT'S EASIER FOR PEOPLE PARTYING AND PEOPLE WHO ARE PARTYING.

>> MY DAD'S ALWAYS LIKE, DON'T DRIVE ON NEW YEAR'S AND NEW YEAR'S EVE.

THAT WOULD MAKE ALL OF US FEEL A LOT SAFER.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO REDUCING THE NUMBER OF DRUNK AND DRUG-RELATED CAR CRASHES ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, THE PROGRAM CAN ALSO HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON LOCAL BUSINESSES.

RESTAURANT AND BAR OWNERS ARE HELPING CUSTOMERS WILL ORDER EXTRA DRINKS, FEELING THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO DRIVE HOME.

>> GIVE OUR GUESTS A PLACE TO COME WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT DRINKING OR DRIVING.

THAT'S THE NUMBER-ONE CONCERN FOR US ALL.

>> Reporter: PARTYGOERS WILL HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH TIME TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR AT THE FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION RUNNING PAST 1:00 A.M. CLAIRE STRONG, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE LATEST "AVATAR" MOVIE, WITH THE LONG-AWAITED SEQUEL JUST PASSING $1 BILLION IN WORLDWIDE TICKET SALES.

IT'S ONE OF JUST A HANDFUL OF MOVIES TO EVER REACH THAT MILESTONE.

IF YOU CAN FIND KPBS' REVIEW, LOOK ON OUR YOUTUBE HOMEPAGE.

>>> THE ANNUAL FIC OR FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION SERIES, HIGHLIGHTING WHAT IS GETTING ATTENTION THIS AWARD SEASON.

KPBS' CINEMA JUNKIE, WITH THE PREVIEW.

STROKE INTERNATIONAL FUTURE WAS HOPING THE CINEMA WOULD WIN OVER ACADEMY VOTERS, BUT BY IGNORING THE BLOCKBUSTER, "RRR," IT MAY HAVE UNINTENTIONALLY GIVEN "RRR" A LEG UP IN THE RACE FOR THE BEST PICTURE FOR THE NATION FOR THE STOP FOR THE BEST FILM OSCAR, WITH A WE RELEASE.

WHILE 45 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE SEEN "RRR" ON NETFLIX, DESERVE TO BE SEEN ON THE BIG SCREEN.

IT'S RELEASE WITH EACH ACTION SCENE TOPPING THE PREVIOUS ONE WITH A NEW LEVEL OF INSANITY.

"RRR'S" MAXIMUM FILMMAKING SEEMS TO CELEBRATE THE POWER A FILM CAN HAVE OVER AN AUDIENCE, CLOSING OUT THE YEAR AND SEEING "RRR" AT VIGIL CINEMAS AND THE OPPOSITE END OF THIS KINEMATIC SCALE, THE EXQUISITELY SUBTLE, MINIMALIST FILMMAKING OF "THE ETERNAL DAUGHTER."

THE FILM HAS THE TRAPPING OF THE GHOST STORY.

BUT IT'S ALSO ABOUT RECENT LOSS.

THE AMAZING TILDA SWINTON PLAYS A DUAL ROLE AS BOTH A DAUGHTER AND HER MOTHER.

>> HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM.

>> Reporter: A VERY INTERIOR FILM, BOTH PHYSICALLY IN A CREAKY OLD HOTEL AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY TRAPPED INSIDE THE DAUGHTER'S EMOTIONAL SPACE.

IT'S A PERFECT FILM FOR THOSE WHO PREFER DRAMA ON A HUMAN SCALE.

EQUALLY DELICATE AND AFFECTING HIS FRAUD WELL'S "AFTER SUN."

SOPHIE AND HER DAD, ON A RARE HOLIDAY TOGETHER.

AFTER IT'S A COMING-OF-AGE FILM AND A STORY ABOUT THE ADULT, SOPHIE, LOOKING BACK ON TREASURED MEMORIES, TO COME TO TERMS WITH HER RELATIONSHIP WITH HER ESTRANGED FATHER.

A BEAUTIFULLY-CONSTRUCTED FILM MADE UP OF FRAGMENTS OF THE MEMORY.

ENJOY THE TRIO OF FILMS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

BETH ACCOMANDO, KPBS NEWS .

>>> REALLY INTERESTING PICTURES THERE.

PASSING UP YOUR CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS AND GETTING READY TO THROW OUT YOUR TREE?

HERE'S A REMINDER THAT YOU CAN RECYCLE FOR FREE.NOW THROUGH JANUARY 23rd, UNDECORATED TREES CAN BE POPPED OFF AS PART OF THE 49th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING PROGRAM.

ALL 17 LOCATION DROP-OFFS CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

>>> THIS WEEK, WE LOOK AT HOW THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO IS RETHINKING HOW IT USES PUBLIC SPACES TO HELP THE HOUSING SHORTAGE.

KPBS' MATCH REPORTER CASEY BOWEN SHOWS US HOW THE LIBRARY MIGHT PLAY A PART.

>> THE REASON WE ARE HERE TODAY IS THE CONSTRUCTION FOR THE NEW OAK PARK BRANCH LIBRARY.

>> Reporter: LAST MONTH, MAYOR GATHERED WITH SEVERAL COLLEAGUES TO MAKE AN EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT, THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA WAS GIVING SAN DIEGO $20 MILLION TO HELP DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT A NEW LIBRARY FOR OAK PARK.

WHEN I HEARD THE NEWS, MY MIND IMMEDIATELY WENT BACK TO THE MAYOR'S 2021 STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS AMONG A SLEW OF NEW HOUSING POLICIES, GLORIA SAID THIS.

>> WE KNOW THAT REAL ESTATE IS AT A PREMIUM, WHICH IS WHY I WILL TEMPERAMENT PLANS TO INCORPORATE HOW WHEN WE REDEVELOP OR BUILD A NEW CITY FACILITIES.

THIS COULD MEAN BUILDING APARTMENTS, NEW LIBRARY'S, FIRE STATIONS, AND THAT WILL TAKE A THOUGHTFUL APPROACH TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR TRANSIT SYSTEM AND INFRASTRUCTURE CAN SUPPORT THESE NEW UNITS.

>> Reporter: SO, I HAD TO ASK, WOULD OAK PARK'S NEW LIBRARY BE THE FIRST IN SAN DIEGO TO INCLUDE HOUSING?

THE ANSWER IS NO.

THE MAYOR'S OFFICE SAYS, THE PROJECT IS TOO FAR ALONG TO CHANGE AND DELAYS COULD JEOPARDIZE STATE FUNDING.

BUT THERE HAVE BEEN CONVERSATIONS AND OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS ABOUT USING LIBRARIES WITH HOUSING.

>> STARTED OUT AS A CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW TO GET A NEW LIBRARY, HOW TO GET A LARGER LIBRARY.

>> Reporter: I MEET ARE YOU PUNACKY, OUTSIDE THE OLD LIBRARY.

IT'S MORE THAN 50 YEARS OLD, SMALL AND DOESN'T HAVE THE KIND OF THINGS PEOPLE NEED FROM THEIR LIBRARIES NOWADAYS.

LIKE COMMUNITY MEETING ROOMS.

PUNACKY HELPED LEAD A DISCUSSION OF THE NORTH PARK PLANNING COMMUNITY EARLIER THIS YEAR ABOUT OPENING A NEW LIBRARY WITH HOUSING ON TOP >> WE HAVE A NEW-SIZED LOT HERE , AND AS THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN GROWING OVER TIME, A COMMON CRITICISM THAT THERE ISN'T ENOUGH IN THE STRUCTURE BEING INVESTED AT THE SAME TIME ON HIS NEW ROADS, HOW CAN WE INCORPORATE, A WAY, YOU KNOW, TO ANSWER THE HOUSING CRISIS FOR OUR NEW POPULATION HERE.

>> THE RESPONSE PUNACKY GOT FROM CITY OFFICIALS WASN'T ENCOURAGING.

NORTH PARK ISN'T ANYWHERE NEAR THE TOP OF THE LIST WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING NEW LIBRARIES.

OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE OAK MARKET HAVE EVEN GREATER NEEDS, AND ABSENT A LARGE CHARITABLE DONATION TO START THE PROCESS, THE CITY ISN'T LIKELY TO REDEVELOP IN THIS LAND ON ANYTIME SOON, AND STILL, PUNACKY HASN'T GIVEN UP ON THE IDEA.

THE LIBRARY IS SURROUNDED BY NEW APARTMENT BUILDINGS , AND IS ONE OF THE CITY'S MOST WALKABLE, TRANSIT-RICH NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> A REALLY NICE PLACE TO INCORPORATE NOT ONLY THESE PUBLIC GOODS OF THE LIBRARY, BUT THE GOOD OF MAYBE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AS WELL.

>> SEPARATING FROM THE FOUNDATION IS GOOD.

>> Reporter: LESS THAN A MILE AWAY, ANOTHER DETERIORATING CITY BUILDING.

THE NORTH PARK COMMITTEE ADULT CENTER IS WHERE I MEET STEPHEN RUSSELL, HEAD OF THE NONPROFIT SAN DIEGO HOUSING FEDERATION.

HE SAYS, WHEN PUBLIC ASSETS LIKE THESE REACH THE END OF THEIR USEFUL LIFE, IT'S INCUMBENT ON CITY OFFICIALS TO REIMAGINE THEM, AND THE LAND IS TOO VALUABLE TO BUILD JUST ONE STORY.

>> IF WE HAVE A SINGLE-STORY BUILDING, WHAT ARE WE PUTTING ABOVE IT?

IT IS A WASTED OPPORTUNITY, AND WE COULD BE MAKING USE OF THE SPACE.

SINGLE-STORY BUILDINGS IN AN ENVIRONMENT LIKE THIS IS A WASTED OPPORTUNITY.

>> Reporter: THERE'S AN EXTRA APPLICATION WITH THIS BUILDING.

PART OF THE NORTH PARK COMMUNITY PARK, WHEN THE CITY COUNCIL PASSED AN ORDINANCE LAST FEBRUARY TO STREAMLINE HOUSING BUILT ON TOP OF PUBLIC FACILITIES.

IT EXCLUDED FACILITIES LOCATED ON PARKLAND.RUSSELL SAYS, HE'S NOT SURE THAT MAKES SENSE.

ESPECIALLY WHEN A BUILDING ALREADY EXISTS, AND MAKING IT TALLER WOULDN'T REQUIRE SACRIFICING ANY ACTUAL PARKLAND, ADDING, HOUSING TO THE PARK MIGHT EVEN MAKE IT SAFER.

>> LET'S TAKE A NORTH PARK COMMUNITY IN PARTICULAR.

YOU HAVE A PARK THAT IS UNOBSERVED, LOTS OF ACTIVITIES THAT HAVE GONE ON IN THE PAST, MAYBE HAVING MORE EYES ON THE STREET, MAYBE, WOULD ACTUALLY HELP THE SITUATION.

>> Reporter: CITY OFFICIALS WERE NOT ABLE TO NAME A SINGLE FIRE STATION, CENTER, OR OTHER PUBLIC FACILITIES WHERE THERE ARE CONCRETE PLANS IN MOTION TO INCORPORATE HOUSING, BUT THEY DID GET A GRANT TO STUDY THE CONCEPT'S FEASIBILITY MORE CLOSELY.

THE REPORT IS DUE SOMETIME NEXT YEAR.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THIS FRIDAY, ON KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK, WE LOOK BACK ON SOME OF THE BIGGEST STORIES OF 2022.

THAT AIRS FRIDAY AT 8:30, RIGHT HERE, ON KPBS, WITH SEVERAL BREAKS OVER THE WEEKEND.

OF COURSE, YOU CAN FIND IT ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE, WHERE WE HAVE LAST WEEK'S SHOW, WHICH FEATURES SOME OF OUR BEST ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT STORIES FROM THE PAST YEAR.

>>> I'M JUDY WOODRUFF.

TONIGHT, ON "THE NEWSHOUR," SOUTHWEST AIRLINES PROMISES A RETURN TO NORMAL AFTER CANCELING THOUSANDS MORE FLIGHTS.

COMING UP AT 7:00 AFTER "EVENING EDITION" ON KPBS.

>>> AND WE WRAP UP TONIGHT WITH A ROAD TRIP MANY ARE TAKING TO ORANGE COUNTY TO CATCH A GLANCE OF AN UNLIKELY VISITOR.

MICHELLE HEALY TELLS US ABOUT THE EXCITING END OF THE YEAR SURPRISE FOR BIRDWATCHERS.

>> SURE IS PRETTY.

>> Reporter: BIRD LOVERS ARE FLOCKING TO CYPRUS.

>> I CAN CONSIDER IT AN HONOR TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE BIRD AND SOMETHING THAT I CAN PUT A FEATHER IN MY CAP, SO TO SPEAK, NO PUN INTENDED.

>> Reporter: A SNOWY OWL IS MAKING A RARE APPEARANCE IN SUNNY SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

>> SO EXCITING TO SEE A BIRD THAT DOES NOT BELONG HERE.

>> Reporter: FOR SNOWY OWLS, HOME IS NORMALLY THE ARCTIC TUNDRA, BUT OF LATE, OR COUNTY RESIDENTS HAVE SEEN THE RAPTOR FLYING FROM ONE ROOFTOP TO ANOTHER IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD, NOT FAR FROM THE JOINT FORCE'S TRAINING BASE IN LOS ALAMITOS.

THEY'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE DOWN IN THIS AREA.

WHENEVER THERE'S THINGS NOT IN THE AREA, WE LIKE TO GO LOOK AT THEM.

>> Reporter: 10-YEAR-OLD, LILY VAZQUEZ, ONE OF THOSE CAPTIVATED BY ITS PRESENCE.

>> IT LOOKS NICE AND FLUFFY.

IT'S REALLY AMAZING.

>> Reporter: THE CUTE LITTLE VISITOR IS DRAWING A CROWD THIS BIRDER IS FROM CARLSBAD.

>> I THINK I HAVE HEARD ABOUT IT, WAS HESITANT TO COME, BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO MOB THE OWLS.

I DECIDED TO MAKE A QUICK TRIP.

>> Reporter: IN PHASE TWO OF THE SNOWY OWL SUMMIT, BIRDWATCHERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE STANDING ON TWO STREETS IN ORDER TO GET A PEEK AT THIS BEAUTIFUL CREATURE.

ONE NEIGHBOR EVEN ROLLED OUT THE RED CARPET FOR THESE VISITORS.

INSTEAD OF THAT, SET UP A TABLE WITH COFFEE AND WATER.

IT'S A MYSTERY AS TO WHY A WISE OWL WOULD TRADE THE WILDERNESS FOR THE CHAOS OF CALIFORNIA.

LOCAL VETERINARIAN, SCOTT WELTY, HAS NEVER HEARD OF A SNOWY OWL LANDING THIS FAR SOUTH >> THE ONLY THING YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HERE IS THERE'S A LOT MORE POTENTIAL DAMAGE OF THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN TO THEM, BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT MORE CARS, A LOT OF POWER LINES.

WE HAVE THE WINDMILLS.

WE HAVE TONS OF THINGS THAT TRAUMATIZE FLYING BIRDS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

>> YOU CAN STILL SEE HIS TAIL.

>> Reporter: BIRDER, ROBBIE YOUNG, RELISHING THE ONCE-IN-A- LIFETIME EXPERIENCE.

>> IT'S HUGE.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SINCE APPROXIMATELY 2028.

SOME PEOPLE ARE SAYING, 100 YEARS.

>> I WAS MICHELLE REPORTING.

FIND TONIGHT STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG .THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

GOOD NIGHT.

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